20-07-2025
Youth to the fore
Youth from every corner of the world are tailoring their movements to fit the various cultural, political and social realities of their communities – whether through health advocacy campaigns, data collection or creative storytelling, says Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids youth ambassador Agamroop Kaur.
'We are not just participating – we are also leading,' she affirmed.
Education, Agamroop said, creates the awareness that translates to advocacy, which in turn enables youth to be impactful changemakers.
Education also builds confidence, allowing youth to step into roles as activists and to take part long-term as policymakers, researchers and leaders in public health, she added.
'Education is the route in which we can create a movement that sustains the energy, solution-building and commitment needed to persevere.
'When young people understand tobacco marketing tactics, how addiction is framed as a cultural symptom or a fake sense of belonging, we are better equipped to push back,' she said, adding that equipping students from a young age with learning and leadership opportunities empowers them to fight for change and shape the systems they are growing up in.
'I saw how personalising education and helping students feel represented in their classrooms inspired them to lead marches calling out the industry and demanding action.
'Youth across the globe are using storytelling, art and innovation to express ourselves.
'Young people are having an impact all over the world. In Ukraine, young advocates monitored compliance with the country's smoke-free law. In Mexico, young leaders are campaigning for higher tobacco taxes. And these are just a few examples.'
She said the fight against tobacco is personal for young people.
'We've seen our loved ones get sick and die, our air polluted, and our friends becoming addicted to new harmful and addictive products.
'But young people are fighting back. We are here not just to ask for change; we are here to lead it.'
The youth, said Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control project coordinator Gene Navarra Gesite Jr., want a greener, healthier world.
'We are not looking for empty promises and rhetoric, but a genuine opportunity to contribute to the solution.
'We seek justice and accountability – we demand governments comprehensively ban all nicotine products because there is no such thing as a 'safe addiction'.'
Agreeing, Indonesian Youth Council for Tactical Changes executive director Manik Marganamahendra said it is the role of the government to speak up for the people and to act in the best interest of those who voted them into power.
Tobacco control, he said, requires a tactical, multisectorial approach – especially in the age of social media.
The marketing of tobacco products has gone into the digital space, making it difficult to implement tobacco control laws, he said, adding that it is a challenge for policymakers to keep up with the Internet.
'The government must be faster in coming up with policy.
'It's also important to meet with influencers and to inform them of tobacco control regulations so that they know not to promote tobacco products online,' he said.
Youth, he added, are not just about street protests.
'We can be a friend to the government and should be involved in public policy matters - we are strategic too and we are very important in helping to create meaningful policies at national and even regional levels,' he said, adding that as changemakers, youth organisations must be inclusive and collaborative to be impactful.
When young advocates, policymakers, researchers and institutions work together, the result is not just progress – it's power, said Agamroop.
'Continue investing in youth – not just as beneficiaries but as partners – because we are not waiting for a seat at the table; we are already building one,' she concluded.
Note: All interviewees featured were participants of the recent World Health Organization (WHO) World Conference on Tobacco Control (WCTC). Held from June 23 to 25 in Dublin, Ireland, the conference was organised by the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) and supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies.
How to be a changemaker
Want to make an impact but don't know where to start? Agamroop and Lu have some practical advice.
> Take a chance on yourself
You are the expert of your own story and experiences, and you know how to serve your community best.
> Lean into the skills and talents you already have and build from there
Are you someone who loves art, writing or coding? All of these are skills that can be translated into advocacy.
> Bring your friends and peers along, join a coalition, or reach out to organisations and advocates
You might hear a few 'no's', especially in the beginning, but it's worth to keep persisting because you'll end up with many friends and people you've never met before. Working alongside others is energising, and where you'll truly find the motivation and support to continue.
> Steps become stairs and stairs make buildings
Take things one step at a time. Start small.
> Get a mentor
When you see other people doing impactful work, you will believe that you too can do this someday. So much is possible when intergenerational collaboration becomes the norm. The strength of advocacy stems from the relationships we build with one another, with our mentors, and with the leaders and institutions that join us.
